M.P.A. Program Honors Graduates, Alumni, Faculty at Annual Pi Alpha Alpha Awards and Hooding Ceremony
The department celebrated the accomplishments of 40 graduates at the Pi Alpha Alpha Awards and Hooding ceremony in May. Along with the graduates, the ceremony recognized faculty members and alumni for extraordinary achievements.
Among those honored were faculty members Mike Peddle and Al Hyde. Professor Peddle, who retired in May, received an Honorary Pi Alpha Alpha National Honor Society membership and Professor Hyde was recognized for his two years of service to the department as a visiting professor.
Paula Schumacher, '93, village administrator for the Village of Bartlett, received the ASPA Outstanding Administrator Award for her contributions to the development of young professionals through the M.P.A. intern program. Hesed House Executive Director Ryan Dowd, '03, was recognized for his service to the profession. Ryan recently wrote a book, "The Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness," and he consulted with actor Emilio Estevez on a movie addressing homelessness called "The Public."
Two pre-career students were awarded the department’s highest honors. Kirstin Hinds received the William R. Monat Award. Kirstin, an ICMA Fellow, is working on a major economic development project for the City of Freeport, Illinois. She also received recognition from the Graduate School as the Outstanding Student for the Department of Public Administration.
Jessica Sandlund received the Daniel Wit Award, and was recognized by the Chicago Chapter of the American Society of Public Administration (ASPA) as the Dean F. Eitel Graduate Student from NIU. Jessica is working full time at CASA DeKalb County, the organization where she completed her M.P.A. internship.
Both Kirstin and Jessica received a $1,000 award for their accomplishments. See a complete list of award recipients and the photos of the awards ceremony.